The benefit dinner event promoted awareness of violence against women with money raised directly benefitting Vital Voices, an international non-governmental organization that invests in women leaders working to advance economic opportunity, increase political and public leadership, and protect human rights.

The evening featured special guest and Turkish haute couture designer Cemil İpekçi, who showcased his Ottoman-inspired collection in a runway show. Select pieces from his collection were auctioned during the event. Written remarks were read on behalf of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thanking the Turkish Embassy and Vital Voices for their commitment to the cause, as well as on behalf of Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan, who noted the importance the global community should place on ending violence against women. Remarks were also made at the event by Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, Serdar Kılıç, Vital Voices Vice President for Human Rights, Cindy Dyer, and by White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, Caroline Bettinger-Lopez.

According to the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence within their lifetime. The Together Through Time event brought together 200 guests from the diplomatic and local community to honor women’s rights and raise awareness of the need to end the plight of violence against women around the world.